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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 4:18 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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The ugly underneath. Thankfully it is only aesthetic and not rust. The factory sound deadener/insulation reminds me of yuba (tofu skin). It is the same texture and color. I would have been content to let it be, but there were bubbles that looked like air pockets and when I lay down new carpet, I want it to be smooth. Removing this material is not so easy. I've spent several hours in there during the hottest time of the day with a plastic scraper to remove it (a metal scraper would surely be more effective, but I don't want it to scratch the paint).
The three holes in the recess were for the factory diagnostics port that was in the engine compartment. I'm going to try to get these welded shut a.s.a.p.
After reading up on and watching a '74 seat be removed, I had mine out quickly. Thanks for the information, Tim.
Last edited by creative native on Tue Jun 30, 2020 9:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Tim Donahoe Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012 Posts: 11740 Location: Redding, CA
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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Don’t you love scraping?
If you want a nice alternative to having a welder, plugging those holes, I’ve used JB Weld putty for things like that. It plugs, seals, can be shaped, and will last forever. And it’s cheap, and you can do it yourself.
That link I sent you didn’t show how to remove the seats, but it was so thorough in explaining how the seats worked, it made enough sense so that you could figure it out.
Tim _________________ Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:15 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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I considered JB Weld, Tim. If a proper welding isn't practical right now, I'll surely use JB Weld.
I'm a right brain biased learner, so after reading, I watched a one minute YouTube clip of a seat being removed and I went out and had mine removed in a few minutes. I think my bushings have been replaced in recent years, but I may replace them again anyhow, as long as the seats are out. There's black plastic plugs on the back end of the tracks and I'm missing one. So now I've got something new to look for! |
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Tim Donahoe Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012 Posts: 11740 Location: Redding, CA
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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Duane, be sure to get the hard seat bushings. The soft neoprene ones will slip off the legs when you reinstall the seats.
Wolfgang International sells these good ones.
Tim _________________ Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:03 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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Thanks for the tip, Tim. Sounds like the quality I like to buy. Do you know where I might find the caps on the back end of the seat tracks? I'm not finding them anywhere and have never seen them for sale, so I am now leaning towards having to have them 3D printed. |
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Tim Donahoe Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012 Posts: 11740 Location: Redding, CA
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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Duane, I’ve only seen them in that link I sent. No vendor sells them, as far as I know.
Before 3-D, you might try a WTB ad in the Samba Classifieds, since you only need one. I have had great luck with WTB ads in the 1968 and Up parts section.
I don’t think those caps have anything to do with stopping the seats from going back too far (the flat memory spring does that). But I suspect they were installed to keep people’s toes from getting cut on the metal rear edge of the seat rails.
Tim _________________ Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:23 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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I agree, Tim. I'm not overly concerned, because the likelihood of have a barefooted rear seat passenger who would possibly put their feet under the rear seat and stub their toe is about nil. I am planning on a WTB ad. Thanks! |
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JZ8G00 Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2016 Posts: 51 Location: Sacramento, CA
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2020 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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Gentle use of a heat gun will work wonders on that insulation in the package tray area, just be sure to be well ventilated and wear a mask. |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2020 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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Thanks for the advice, JZ8G00. I had considered that, but don't have a heat gun. I have a blow dryer though. Seriously, I'm considering investing in a heat gun. Thanks again. |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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Today I received my four piece rubber floor mats from Turkey. I've had a very difficult time finding four rubber mats with accommodation for the passenger's foot rest, but I found these on eBay in Turkey. It has only taken about a week and a half for them to arrive. I like the waffle pattern and the rubber feels like good quality.
I decided against keeping the WW chrome bumpers. I believe $225 is a fair price for new bumpers, but I know I'll be disappointed in myself if I settle for less than a high quality rechroming of my originals. Since nobody is selling '68-'77 vent wings, this will also be an opportunity to also send a pair with my bumpers to be rechromed.
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Tim Donahoe Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012 Posts: 11740 Location: Redding, CA
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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I like ‘em. They look heavy duty.
Tim _________________ Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:19 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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Thanks, Tim! |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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1. New headlight switch
2. Clock
3. NOS Eberspächer gas heater switch from Norway
4. NOS Super Beetle fog light switch from Germany (gifted to me)
5. NOS rear defogger switch from Sweden
6. NOS emergency switch should arrive soon from Quebec
My Honey Brown German square weave carpet arrived today. It is something beautiful to behold! I want to make me down a pallet on the floor with it and take a nap, but I am too excited. This is a 30 year dream coming true. I now have the motivation to finish sound proofing so I can get this carpet and headliner installed. I settled on Wolfsburg West's original style crush grain headliner and it should arrive in a few days.
I am grateful to all the wonderful people around the world who have helped me make my dream real by providing me with the opportunities to have these parts that I'd never have found domestically: A high quality mirror from Mexico, floor mats from Turkey, SB radio block off plate from England in addition to those mentioned above, as well as those in NY, NJ, WA, MA and CA. Ù·nę Í·ʔ kęʔkę́·theʔ yawęhkwá·thęʔ ~ Now my heart is full.
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bnam Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006 Posts: 2935 Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:42 am Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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Nice rubber mats and the carpets too.
Btw, could I request you to post a photo of the production plate on your car? It should be on the front apron and have the paint code and scheduled manf date etc on there. Wondering how distant the scheduled date is from the BC of the car.
Thanks! _________________ 1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 12:55 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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bnam wrote: |
Nice rubber mats and the carpets too.
Btw, could I request you to post a photo of the production plate on your car? It should be on the front apron and have the paint code and scheduled manf date etc on there. Wondering how distant the scheduled date is from the BC of the car.
Thanks! |
Thanks, bnam! The SB is in the shop, but will take a photo when it returns. |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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AN EXPENSIVE LESSON: I deliberated intently on whether or not to keep the Wolfsburg West bumpers and finally decided against keeping them. The more I looked at them to decide if I could appreciate them, the more the chrome quality looked like silver paint. It cost me $100 to return them. That burned! So then I began wondering to myself why was I so naive as to spend that kind of money on bumpers that looked so bad and the answer is in two parts:
1. Wolfsburg West does not provide an actual photo of their '74-'79 bumpers, only a black and white drawing, which gives the buyer no idea of what quality they are paying for or even what the bumpers actually look like. However, their description speaks to the high quality, WW standard of their bumpers. I've been happy with all other products I've bought from WW, so why would I have believed I'd have been making a mistake by buying their bumpers?
2. Right under the late bumpers, actual photos of the early model over rider bumpers are posted and they look beautiful with their shiny, mirror finish. So it was easy to believe that this is the quality I were to receive. Now I understand why they don't post actual photos of late bumper and this goes back to an earlier post I made about the poor quality of and lack of availability of quality late model parts.
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Tim Donahoe Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012 Posts: 11740 Location: Redding, CA
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:41 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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True triple-plate show quality? That’s what their add says, but you say the chrome looks like silver paint? Hell, I’d bug them for the $100 postage.
Tim _________________ Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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Tim Donahoe wrote: |
True triple-plate show quality? That’s what their add says, but you say the chrome looks like silver paint? Hell, I’d bug them for the $100 postage.
Tim |
I've been considering that, Tim and now I've decided that I will. If I had actually received triple chrome show quality bumpers, I'd have kept them. Despite the spots of surface rust on my originals, they look better than the WW bumpers. |
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creative native Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 1227 Location: WNC
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Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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"All good things to those who wait." ~ Hannibal Lecter
Progress has been slow in the Covid-19 age. It seems service providers are backed up and mail / deliveries are slower than usual. It is all understandable and simply the reality I'm working with. It is difficult to be patient when all I want is to see this Sun Bug completed. I am happy to report that at this time, I have almost everything I need to proceed with my interior restoration: Crush gain headliner, Dynamat and padding for it, Honey Brown German square weave carpet, carpet padding, Fat Mat to cover from front to back, four piece rubber floor mat kit, Nut Brown leatherette seat upholstery on hand and I found very close to original corduroy-velour upholstery for Sun Bugs from SMS Fabrics in Canby, OR, which should arrive very soon.
My mechanic completed the work on my Sun Bug today. I had him install my restored SVA distributor from Sparxwerks, install my Fast Fab strut brace, Wolfsburg West silicone valve cover gaskets and rear Bilstein shocks. As soon as I began moving in reverse out of the parking space, I could tell a huge difference in the feel of the SB. When I started out in first gear, I was nearly shocked at the difference in the feel of the ride. The Sparxwerks distributor delivered on its' promise to eliminate the dreaded hesitation caused by the 009, especially in first gear. I previously joked that after driving Buses and most recently, a Vanagon Westfalia for 15 years, driving a Type 1 again felt like driving a glorified go-cart, but NOW; now this Super Beetle feels like a Mercedes! Even over 30 years of driving Buses, I have had plenty of friends with Beetles/Super Beetles that I have driven and rode in and I have to say I've never been in a Super Beetle/Beetle that feels solid like this and handles so well. I'm trying to imagine how much better this might be after installing front and rear sway bars. |
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wcfvw69 Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004 Posts: 13389 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: 1974 Super Beetle Sun Beetle Sedan Build |
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creative native wrote: |
"All good things to those who wait." ~ Hannibal Lecter
Progress has been slow in the Covid-19 age. It seems service providers are backed up and mail / deliveries are slower than usual. It is all understandable and simply the reality I'm working with. It is difficult to be patient when all I want is to see this Sun Bug completed. I am happy to report that at this time, I have almost everything I need to proceed with my interior restoration: Crush gain headliner, Dynamat and padding for it, Honey Brown German square weave carpet, carpet padding, Fat Mat to cover from front to back, four piece rubber floor mat kit, Nut Brown leatherette seat upholstery on hand and I found very close to original corduroy-velour upholstery for Sun Bugs from SMS Fabrics in Canby, OR, which should arrive very soon.
My mechanic completed the work on my Sun Bug today. I had him install my restored SVA distributor from Sparxwerks, install my Fast Fab strut brace, Wolfsburg West silicone valve cover gaskets and rear Bilstein shocks. As soon as I began moving in reverse out of the parking space, I could tell a huge difference in the feel of the SB. When I started out in first gear, I was nearly shocked at the difference in the feel of the ride. The Sparxwerks distributor delivered on its' promise to eliminate the dreaded hesitation caused by the 009, especially in first gear. I previously joked that after driving Buses and most recently, a Vanagon Westfalia for 15 years, driving a Type 1 again felt like driving a glorified go-cart, but NOW; now this Super Beetle feels like a Mercedes! Even over 30 years of driving Buses, I have had plenty of friends with Beetles/Super Beetles that I have driven and rode in and I have to say I've never been in a Super Beetle/Beetle that feels solid like this and handles so well. I'm trying to imagine how much better this might be after installing front and rear sway bars. |
That's great news that you are liking the restored, original German Bosch 034 distributor! There's nothing worse than the flat spot or off idle hesitation with a 34-3 matched to an 009. _________________ Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
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